Brabin has a wealth of forward options at his disposal

Cambridge United boss Gary Brabin has challenged Chris Holroyd and Danny Crow to fight for their places following the arrival of Lee Phillips.

Holroyd was dropped from the starting line-up in place of ex-Weymouth man Phillips for Monday's draw at Histon.

Brabin told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire: "Anyone who doesn't respond in a positive manner to healthy competition isn't right for this club.

"We want players who are happy to fight and better themselves."

Holroyd has been part of a prolific partnership with Scott Rendell in recent weeks, but Brabin feels he will bounce back from being left out of the side.

"Chris is professional enough to react in the way we would expect, with the two games so close to one another I needed to freshen things up."

Phillips looks set to keep his place in the starting 11 for Saturday's match with Burton Albion at the Abbey.

Brabin says the 28-year-old's arrival from the Terras will lend a better balance to his forward options.

"Bringing Phillips in gives us a physical presence and he could even challenge Scott Rendell for his place as he has that side to his game," he said.

Brabin says he is full of respect for the way in which Burton have continued their promotion charge despite losing manager Nigel Clough to Derby.

Roy McFarland has been placed in temporary charge at the Pirelli Stadium, and Brabin is backing the former U's boss to be a success.

"Roy signed me when I was at Torquay, he's a real gentleman and I'm not surprised he's so well thought of at Cambridge," he said.

"I'm hopeful he'll get the job at Burton permanently and go onto have real success there."

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version